tom_abrahamsson Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 I do have a 35 f2,5 VC and the Minifinder. We were in Japan in February and Mr Kobayashi gave me these two items. I saw this lens last year in a proto-type form and I was very impressed with the size and smoothness of its operation. The hood is great, bayonets on and it brings back memories of using Hasselblads with the "snap" of the hood being securely locked on. The performance of the lens is similar to the 1980's 35 Summicron. Sharp and with a nice rendition in black/white. The bokeh is pleasant and has none of the harshness that the Aspherical Summicron/Summiluxes exhibit. It is slower than the Summicron, but not so much so that I find it a bother. Wide-open it performs as well as the 35/2. It is small but with the "ears" ( shades of the old Summilux 35) and the focussing tab it is very easy to use. At the moment it is more or less permanently on my MP 0,58. I can see this lens as a perfect fit for a CL or CLE or on one of my M2's. Nice lenscap too, clicks in place with two springloaded catches. My lens is a pre-production sample and it lacks the indicator dot on the hood for the aperture mark ( there is a white dot on the hood flange but that is for mounting the hood). I fixed that with a small "burr" on my Dremel tool. The Minifinder is truly that. Very bright and contrasty and I can see the 28 and 35 frames even with glasses. The VC finders are truly outstanding, all glass and apherical elements and the Minifinder is no exception. I have been using it on a IIIg and this gives me 28 ( 28/3,5 VC), 35 ( 35/3,5 Summaron), 50 (weird 50/2,8 Sonnar in screw mount) and the 90/3,5 VC. One screwmount Leica and four lenses! The finder is small enough that you can leave it on the camera all the time. I do have the VC 28 and the VC 35 finders too, but the Minifinder is more convinient for a light load. It is so small that it is better to leave it on the camera than to have to rummage through the camera bag and try to find it! Oh yes, I also have the 50/3,5 Heliar in Nikon RF mount (at the moment my lens represents 50% of the production!). It is just as good as the T101 lens and that is high praise. Yes it is a f3,5 (but so is the Elmar Red Dial) but with slow 25 or 100ASA film it is superb. I like the rigid mount as it feels more secure than any collapsible mount. Very sharp and with nice contrast but more important, it has a "roundness" to the image that sets it apart.I have only had time to shoot about 25 rolls with it and I have had no time to get in to the darkroom yet, but with a 30x magnifier it looks great. I am taking some credit for this lens as last year I suggested it to Mr Kobayashi as a possible " special" lens for the Bessa R2S. I dont know if it is the best 50 made but it is certainly up there in the top. Tom A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels - NHSN Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 Hi Tom,<p> Interesting review - Thanks.<br> I would be interested to know how you find the build quality of the new VC 35/2,5 compared to the other 35mm offerings from VC?<p> Regards,<p> Niels Niels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uhooru Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 Tom, is the new 35/2.5 similar in performance and "signiture" as the "Classic" 35/2.5? Which is also a very good lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 Hello, Tom, and welcome back to the forum! Great you chime in and provide some real world input on a couple of less than common products. Bests to you and T and Barnack ;-) - hope this finds everybody fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roberto_watson_garc_a Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 Tom, nice to read from you, wish you all a nice spring, up there. Regards, Roberto. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex_Es Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 Hello there, Tom! Good review. Best to Tuulikki and Mr. B. Cheers, Alex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob l Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 Hi Tom, Thanks for the review. Hopefully I will have my new CV 35/2.5 in time for the "Spring Shoot". It should arrive either today or tomorrow.I will talk to you more about it when I see you in Victoria, BC. this weekend. Pray for sunshine !. Bob Langjahr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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